The bill amends Section 161.007 of the Health and Safety Code to improve the functionality and privacy protections of the immunization registry. It removes the requirement for written or electronic consent for including an individual's information in the registry, allowing individuals or their legally authorized representatives to request exclusion at various points, such as at birth or during immunization administration. The bill ensures that individuals are not required to request exclusion more than once and that their information will not be included unless a subsequent request for inclusion is made. Additionally, it prohibits the use of registry information to deny services during disasters unless medically contraindicated and explicitly states that the department cannot sell registry information.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that enhance privacy and consent requirements for the release and use of immunization registry information. It stipulates that the department's institutional review board cannot approve the release of identifiable information for research without informed consent. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting rules to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA. The bill modifies the process for individuals to request exclusion from the registry, repeals previous consent verification requirements, and establishes new rules for data collection and retention. These changes will take effect for immunization information received by the Department of State Health Services from January 1, 2027, and a public awareness campaign will be launched to inform stakeholders about the updates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 161.007, Health and Safety Code 161.00705, Health and Safety Code 161.00706, Health and Safety Code 161.0071, Health and Safety Code 161.0073, Health and Safety Code 161.00735, Health and Safety Code 161.008, Health and Safety Code 161.009, Health and Safety Code 161.0095, Health and Safety Code 161.0107 (Health and Safety Code 161)